Two monks jailed in NZ's most notorious Catholic sexual abuse scandal have been released on parole after serving less than half their sentences.

The child abuse scandal rocking the Catholic Church widened this week as a leading German bishop personally appointed by Pope Benedict was accused of beating and punching children at a church-run home.

Smacking children may be creeping back into favour following Government assurances that police will not prosecute parents for "light smacks", according to a new survey.

The son of a Destiny Church pastor has been charged with indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl, who was placed in the care of a churchgoer by an organisation run by his mother.

New Zealand is one of the most violent countries in the developed world, according to a new independent report.

A 27-year-old Tongan man made a brief appearance in North Shore District Court this morning accused of attacking a toddler.

Police have charged a man with assault as a 2-year-old girl fights for her life in hospital.

Today, a 19 year old Taupo man was jailed for throwing a three month old baby, who wouldn't stop crying, onto the floor, causing life-threatening head injuries.

A baby owes its life to its grandmother who intervened during her own daughter's attempt at infanticide.

The adoptive parents of Anitelea Chan Kee - murderer of liquor store owner Navtej Singh - were jailed for horrific sexual and physical abuse of their niece.

Act MP David Garrett says he would not support a bill on voluntary sterilisation, he just wanted to promote debate on the issue.

A woman accused of murdering the toddler in her care told her cousin she thought he was sick the day he went to hospital, a court hears.

Act MP David Garrett has suggested parents with a history of child abuse should be given a $5000 incentive to be sterilised.

A panel of experts has recommended an alert system for all abusive mothers so officials know when they have more children.